While his Chelsea team-mates were mobbing Fernando Torres for his long-awaited goal, in a small part of Lancashire Luke Joyce received similar treatment.

The 23-year-old had waited a long 16 months to see one of his efforts hit the back of the net and he finally did it on Saturday.

When the midfielder got the ball on the edge of the area against one-time Premier big boys Bradford not many would have tipped the former Carlisle man to score.

But you wouldn’t have thought his last goal was December 2009 with the way he took it.

He got the ball, wrong-footed his marker and curled it beautifully for Stanley’s opener which set them on their way to another welcome three points in their play-off push as the Reds extended their unbeaten streak at the Crown Ground to 11 games.

"I am over the moon, I would have taken a tap-in, any goal, to be honest," said Joyce.

"I took a touch and was going to hit it first time but I saw someone closing me down, so I checked inside and then I really couldn’t do much else but bend it in at the far post as there were bodies in the way.

"I got what I could behind it and tried to place it to the back post and luckily it worked.

"To score like that was special. The most important thing though was the three points and keeping a clean sheet. I am made up with that."

Boss John Coleman was delighted for Joyce who was out of the team at the start of the season but has been patient and battled his way back to be a strong contender for Player of the Season.

"It was a great goal and we know that Luke has got that in his locker," said the Reds boss.

"He is a great player, a good footballer and worked hard to get back into the side.

"I know the fans have their favourites on who should play but they do not see what we do everyday and that’s what we base our decisions on.

"Luke’s attitude doesn’t change whether he is in or out of the side and that’s worth its weight in gold for a manager."

In truth, apart from the opening minutes, the Reds never looked troubled by Brad-ford, who had high hopes of a promotion charge this season but are floundering at the wrong end of the table.

Tall striker James Hanson had a go and skied it in the first minute but then Joyce scored his goal on nine minutes and the Reds never looked back.

It wasn’t long before Andy Procter had rifled a shot into the net from the edge of the area for his sixth goal of the season and another wonder goal for the captain.

In previous times, 2-0 up against the Bantams after 16 minutes would still not have eased the Reds’ nerves.

Who can forget Stanley coasting at the Crown Ground 2-0 up in 2008 before Bradford scored three goals in the final 10 minutes to win 3-2?

But this Bradford team – who were still threatened with relegation on Saturday – looked lacking in confidence and when Sean McConville got the third on the stroke of half-time from a Jimmy Ryan throw and some poor defending, it was game over.

Bantams’ boss Peter Jackson admitted as much: "I knew it was over at half-time, I just wanted some pride after that."

Stanley fans have certainly been spoiled as, in three out of their last five home games, they have been 3-0 up by the interval and it certainly makes watching a lot easier.

To be fair, Bradford did then keep out the Reds in the second half but it was more by Stanley’s inability to finish than the visitors tough defending.

McConville was one-on-one but couldn’t find the target, Joe Jacobson fired wide as did Rory Boulding.

Striker Terry Gornell worked his socks off but didn’t have a clear cut chance while Bradford didn’t trouble Alex Cisak and got a rollicking off their manager after the clash – who is in charge until the end of the season but wants the job full-time.

The only troubling moment for the Reds was an argument between team-mates Jimmy Ryan and Dean Winnard on the pitch over a rare Bradford attack.

"I don’t mind that as it shows how much Dean wanted a clean sheet," said Coleman. "We encourage the players to be vocal with each other and that was just part of it."

The win meant the Reds jumped to fifth place and left Coleman again praising his cut-price side.

"Our lads aren’t lacking in confidence, they have great enthusiasm and desire and add to that their skill – and we shall see where that all takes us."